Manager - Business Development

About the role

Freshworks is looking for a Manager

Business Development to join their team in Berlin, Germany. This full-time role centers on driving commercial growth and forming strategic partnerships that expand the company's footprint in the region. The position requires identifying new market opportunities, nurturing client relationships, and coordinating with internal teams to advance Freshworks' business objectives. The Manager

Business Development will be instrumental in shaping the company's commercial direction and contributing to long-term revenue growth in Berlin and the surrounding market.

Key facts

What you'll do

1. Develop and execute business development strategies that align with Freshworks' broader goals for the Berlin and European market.

2. Identify and evaluate new business opportunities, potential partnerships, and revenue streams that can accelerate company growth.

3. Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, prospective clients, and external partners across the region.

4. Work closely with internal teams including sales, marketing, and product to drive coordinated go-to-market initiatives.

5. Conduct thorough market research and competitive analysis to inform strategic business development decisions and priorities.

1. Prepare detailed business cases, proposals, and progress reports for both leadership and external partners.

7. Manage a pipeline of prospective deals and partnerships from initial outreach through negotiation and closure.

8. Represent Freshworks at industry events, conferences, trade shows, and professional networking gatherings in Berlin and beyond.

9. Partner with the sales organization to set realistic revenue targets and monitor progress against defined business objectives.

10. Support the introduction and expansion of Freshworks' product offerings into new customer segments and accounts.

11. Coordinate with regional teams to ensure consistent and timely execution of business development plans and activities.

12. Contribute to the formulation of pricing strategies and commercial terms for new business engagements and partnerships.

Requirements

1. Demonstrated experience in business development, sales, or a related commercial function within the software or technology industry.

2. Solid understanding of the Berlin business environment and the broader dynamics of the European market.

3. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present effectively to diverse audiences.

4. A track record of successfully building and sustaining long-term professional relationships and commercial partnerships.

5. Comfort working independently while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.

6. Sharp analytical abilities with the skill to interpret market data and convert insights into actionable plans.

7. Fluency in English is required; proficiency in German is a significant advantage for operating in Berlin.

8. A bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in business, finance, marketing, or a closely related discipline.

Nice to have

1. Previous experience working with SaaS or cloud-based software companies, especially those operating in the European market.

2. Familiarity with Freshworks products and the wider customer experience management software ecosystem.

3. An existing professional network within the Berlin technology and business community that could support growth efforts.

4. Prior experience leading or mentoring junior business development professionals or coordinating a small team.

5. Working knowledge of German data privacy regulations and compliance standards relevant to business operations in the country.

Skills & tools

1. Experience with CRM platforms and sales pipeline management systems for tracking and advancing business opportunities.

2. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace for reporting, documentation, and team collaboration.

3. Familiarity with data analytics platforms and business intelligence tools used for market research and trend analysis.

4. Proficiency with presentation and proposal software such as PowerPoint or equivalent applications for client-facing materials.

5. Ease with video conferencing and remote collaboration platforms used for coordinating across distributed teams.

6. Basic understanding of financial modeling and budgeting principles needed for constructing business cases and forecasts.

Practical notes

1. The role is based in Berlin and requires regular in-person presence at Freshworks' office or an assigned workspace in the city.

2. This is a full-time position with standard working hours, though some schedule flexibility may be available depending on team needs.

3. The hiring process is likely to include several interview rounds with members of the business development team and senior leadership.

4. Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with business development strategy and their knowledge of regional market conditions.

5. Freshworks looks for individuals who take a proactive approach to finding growth opportunities and who value building lasting professional relationships.

About the company

Freshworks provides business software for customer support, IT service management, CRM, and marketing automation. Founded by Girish Mathrubootham and Shan Krishnasamy in Chennai, India in 2010, Freshworks went public on NASDAQ in September 2021.